The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-08-13
Let Us Have Fair Play.
[Natchitoches Review.I

Governor r. 4. Nichols, one of the
leading candidates for governor of this
State. is being bitterly assaulted by a
good many papers that were friendly
to him four years ago. OF course the
papers that favored Gov. McEnery in
1884 are still, with perhaps Il few ex
ceptions, on the same side.
The DeSoto Democrat has resurrect-
ell the charge that was made against
Governor Nichols during the last
campaign to the effect that he snubl,cd
the political prisoners from this parish,
who, in 1879 were tried in New Orleans
before the United States court, and
has recently urged it as one of the
reasons why he should not be nomi-
mated. This charge was first made in
1853 by correspondent of the City
Item, paper of very decided Repub-
lican proclivities, and ii we are not
mistaken, the correspondent referred
to Messrs. Cunningham, Piersou, Jack
and others who would confirm the
charge made. At the time the Review
applied to the gentlemen above men-
toned and obtained from them state
ments which most emphatically denied
the charge against Gov. Nichols, which
statements were published in this pa
per, as well as many others throughout
the State, and we believe they were
regarded by both the friends and the
foes of Gov. Nichols as crushing
refutation Of the charge.
The statement of Attorney general
NJ. j.. Cunningham was particularly
full and emphatic. He was the leader
in the movement in this parish which
resulted first in the overthrow of the
Republican party and then in the ar
rest and trial of some sixty citizens
from here and he was the one against
whom the efforts of the United States
district attorney were particularly di-
rected. AS a matter OF course he was
deeply interested in his own behalf as
well as that Of his political aud per-
sonal friends and associates who were
prosecuted with him. He had facil-
ties for obtaing knowledge of the SEN
tlmeuts of the public men in New
Orleans, and especially of Gov. Mich
oils, regarding himself and his friends
which few if any others enjoyed. Mr..
Cunningham is by no means dull of
comprehension and those who know
him will agree that he would have
been quick to note and slow to forgive
any rebuff from Gov. Nichols, of him.
self or his friends under such circum-
stances. MIR. Cunningham's positive
statement that Gov. Nichols did not
snub the Natchitoches prisoners, is
worth infinitely more as evidence than
the vague impressions of dozen men.
There is another fact that we wish
noted in this connection. The dele
gates from this parish to the State
convention in 1884, who were elected
by an whelming majority, voted
unanimously for Governor Nichols.
Nearly all, if not quite every one of,
these delegates were among the pris-
Oners whom, it is alleged, Governor
Nichols "repulsed" when they were
being tried for doing that which rem
dered his existence as governor of the
State possible. Is it reasonable to
suppose that they would have sup
ported him so enthusiastically if he
had been guilty of the cowarlly and
ungrateful conduct with which he was
chargedf The citizens of NatchitOches
parish were not then, and are not now,
dead to the promptings of manhood
and honor. And right here we wish
to ask our esteemed friend of the De-
Soto Democrat if he opposed Gov.
Nichols in 1888 at all, and if he did,
was the charge above referred to one
of the grounds of his opposition? We
do not remember to have seen any
thing of the kind in his paper at that
time. He certainly knew as much
about the matter then as he does now.
We know that the delegation from this
parish voted for Nichols.
1t is not our purpose to urge the
claims of Gov. Nichols. This paper
unhesitatingly announces that its
choice for governor is Milton j. Gun
ningham. 1t honestly believes that of
all the candidates he will make us the
best governor in every respect; and
what is more we believe that his
chances for the nomination are better
than those Of any man in the State.
But what we want, and what Mr..
Cunningham wants, is fair play whether
for himself or his opponents. Neither
himself nor his friends desire success
if it must he purchased by the sacrifice
of fair and honorable conduct toward
those who oppose him.